JP4542398B2 - Receiver - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus that demodulates a received radio signal into a baseband signal and performs processing for obtaining transmission information based on the demodulated baseband signal.

  In recent years, swallowable capsule endoscopes have appeared in the field of endoscopes. This capsule endoscope is provided with an imaging function and a wireless communication function. Capsule endoscopes are peristaltic in the body cavity, for example, the stomach, small intestine, etc., after being swallowed from the patient's mouth for observation (examination) and before being spontaneously discharged from the human body. It has the function to move according to and to image sequentially.

  While moving inside the body cavity, image information captured inside the body by the capsule endoscope is sequentially transmitted to the outside by a high-frequency signal and stored in a memory provided in an external receiving apparatus. When the patient carries the receiving device having the high-frequency signal receiving function and the memory function, the patient can freely act after swallowing the capsule endoscope until it is discharged. Thereafter, the doctor or nurse can make a diagnosis by displaying an organ image on the display based on the image data stored in the memory.

  In general, a receiving device distributes a plurality of antennas for receiving a high-frequency signal transmitted from a capsule endoscope to the outside, and selectively switches and receives one antenna with few reception errors of the high-frequency signal. ing. In addition, a technique corresponding to a plurality of interfaces has been proposed by changing a connector for connecting a module in which an antenna module is incorporated in order to make the receiving apparatus versatile (Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-118308 A

  However, the conventional receiving apparatus demodulates the received high-frequency signal into a baseband signal, performs predetermined signal processing based on the demodulated baseband signal, obtains video information, and stores the video information in a memory. Since the hardware configuration is integrated, it is necessary to change the entire receiver when changing the number of antennas according to the inspection application or when changing the radio frequency according to the area of use. It took time and labor, and there was a problem that it was not flexible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a receiving apparatus that can handle various specifications with a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a demodulator that demodulates a received radio signal into a baseband signal, and a radio unit having a demodulation control unit that controls demodulation processing of the demodulator, And a receiver main body unit that is detachable from the wireless unit and performs processing for obtaining transmission information based on at least the baseband signal.

In the receiver according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the radio unit is configured to binarize the baseband signal and a binarized signal binarized by the binarizing unit. And binarization control means for performing control to output to the receiver body unit.

In the receiving device according to the present invention , in the above invention, the wireless unit includes a plurality of antennas that receive the wireless signal, a switching unit that selectively switches one antenna from the plurality of antennas, Signal strength detecting means for detecting the signal strength of the radio signal received by a plurality of antennas.

In the receiving apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the wireless unit includes a switching control unit that performs switching control of the switching unit based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detecting unit. It is characterized by.

In the receiver according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, when the signal strength detected by the signal strength means does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the demodulation control means performs at least the operation of the demodulator for a predetermined time. It is characterized by performing control to stop.

  A receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a radio unit having a demodulation unit that demodulates a received radio signal into a baseband signal and a demodulation control unit that controls demodulation processing of the demodulation unit, and transmission information based on at least the baseband signal And a wireless unit that can be attached to and detached from the receiver body unit, so that various specifications can be easily accommodated with a simple configuration.

  Exemplary embodiments of a receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a wireless in-vivo information acquiring system using a receiving device 2 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless in-vivo information acquiring system includes a plurality of antennas A1 to An having a wireless reception function, a receiving device 2 connecting the plurality of antennas A1 to An, and the body of the subject 1. And a capsule endoscope 3 that captures an image of a body cavity and transmits image information and the like to the receiving device 2 using a high-frequency signal. In addition, the wireless in-vivo information acquiring system performs data exchange between the display device 4 that displays an intra-body cavity image based on the image information received by the receiving device 2 and the receiving device 2 and the display device 4. The portable recording medium 5 is provided. The receiving device 2 connects a plurality of antennas A1 to An and performs processing of a radio signal received through the plurality of antennas A1 to An and a radio signal processed by the radio unit 2a. The receiver main unit 2b for acquiring image information is provided, and the wireless unit 2a and the receiver main unit 2b are connected by a connector 2c.

  The display device 4 is for displaying an in-vivo image captured by the capsule endoscope 3, and has a configuration such as a workstation that displays an image based on data obtained by the portable recording medium 5. Have Specifically, the display device 4 may be configured to directly display an image using a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or the like, or may be configured to output an image to another medium such as a printer.

  The portable recording medium 5 is detachable with respect to the receiver body unit 2b and the display device 4, and has a structure capable of outputting or recording information when being inserted into both. Specifically, the portable recording medium 5 is inserted into the receiver body unit 2 b and transmitted from the capsule endoscope 3 while the capsule endoscope 3 is moving in the body cavity of the subject 1. Record data to be recorded. After the capsule endoscope 3 is ejected from the subject 1, that is, after the imaging of the inside of the subject 1 is finished, the capsule endoscope 3 is taken out from the receiver body unit 2b and inserted into the display device 4, Data recorded by the display device 4 is read out. Data is transferred between the receiver body unit 2b and the display device 4 using a portable recording medium 5 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, so that the receiver body unit 2b and the display device 4 are wired. The subject 1 can move freely during imaging in the body cavity, compared to the case of being connected, and also contributes to shortening the data transfer period with the display device 4. In this case, the portable recording medium 5 is used for data transfer between the receiver main unit 2b and the display device 4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiver main unit 2b has a built-in type. Other recording devices may be used, and both may be configured to be wired or wirelessly connected to exchange data with the display device 4.

  Here, the receiving apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the receiving apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the radio unit 2a and the receiver body unit 2b are connected by a connector 2c. The radio unit 2a includes a demodulation control unit 20 and a demodulation unit 21, and receives the received high-frequency signal as a baseband signal. Demodulated to S2. Therefore, even when the receiver body unit 2b changes the number of antennas or receives signals with different radio frequencies, the receiver unit 2b exchanges the radio unit 2a to obtain the same baseband signal S2. You can enter.

  Next, details of the receiving device 2 will be described. The radio unit 2a connects a plurality of antennas A1 to An, and performs antenna switching, an antenna switching unit 23, a demodulation unit 21 that demodulates a high-frequency signal received via the antenna switching unit 23, and demodulation of the demodulation unit 21 The demodulation control unit 20 for controlling the intensity, the intensity detection unit 22 for detecting the intensity of the high-frequency signal input from the antenna switching unit 23, and the high-frequency signal input via the antenna switching unit 23 for either the demodulation unit 21 or the terminal 25. A switch 24 that outputs the signal and a terminal 25 connected to the switch 24. By switching the switch 24 and monitoring the high frequency signal at the terminal 25, the failure location of the wireless unit 2a can be diagnosed.

  The antenna switching unit 23 of the wireless unit 2a outputs the high-frequency signal received via the plurality of antennas A1 to An to the intensity detection unit 22, and the intensity detection unit 22 detects the signal strength of the input high-frequency signal, and the antenna The intensity signal S1 is output to the receiver body unit 2b. The antenna switching unit 23 receives the switching signal SB, switches to one antenna from the plurality of antennas A1 to An, and outputs a high-frequency signal received by the switched antenna to the demodulation unit 21 via the switch 24. The demodulator 21 demodulates the high-frequency signal to the baseband signal S2 based on the control signal SA input from the demodulation controller 20, and outputs the baseband signal S2 to the receiver body unit 2b. The demodulation control unit 20 receives the control signal SD from the receiver body unit 2b, and controls the demodulation operation of the demodulation unit 21 by the control signal SA when the control signal SD instructs to start. The switching operation of the switch 24 is controlled by the control signal SC, and the high-frequency signal input through the antenna switching unit 23 is switched between the demodulating unit 21 side and the terminal 25 side and output.

  The receiver body unit 2b receives the baseband signal S2 demodulated by the radio unit 2a, converts the baseband signal S2 into a digital signal, and performs signal processing to generate image information, and at least The storage unit 28 that stores the image information, the display unit 27 that displays and outputs various types of information, and the control unit 26 that controls the above-described units and performs activation control on the wireless unit 20a.

  The control unit 26 of the receiver body unit 2b outputs a switching signal SB to the wireless unit 2a based on the input antenna strength signal S1 to switch the antenna. In addition, the control unit 26 outputs a control signal SD to cause the wireless unit 2a to start demodulation, acquires image information from the output of the signal processing unit 29, outputs the image signal SS1 to the display unit 27, and outputs the image information. Is output to the storage unit 28. The display unit 27 receives the image signal SS1 and displays image information, and the storage unit 28 receives the data signal SS2 and stores the image information.

  Next, the operation of the demodulation control unit 20 of the wireless unit 2a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the demodulation control unit 20 inputs the control signal SD from the control unit 26 provided in the receiver body unit 2b (step S101). When the control signal SD instructs to start, the demodulation control unit 20 outputs the control signal SA to the demodulation unit 21 (step S102), starts the demodulation operation of the demodulation unit 21 and performs demodulation control. The demodulator 21 demodulates the high frequency signal input via the antenna switching unit 23 and outputs a baseband signal S2. The demodulation control unit 20 receives the antenna strength signal S1 (step S103), and determines whether the signal strength of the antenna strength signal S1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Sth (step S104). When the signal strength of the antenna strength signal S1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value Sth (step S104, YES), the demodulation control unit 20 continues the demodulation control and determines whether or not the control signal SD instructing start / stop is input from the control unit 26. Is determined (step S105). When the control signal SD instructing start / stop is input (YES in step S105), the control signal SA is output to the demodulator 21 (step S106), and the demodulation operation of the demodulator 21 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the antenna strength signal S1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Sth (step S104, NO), the demodulation control unit 20 measures the time T1 when the antenna strength signal S1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Sth, and the time T1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold time Tth. It is determined whether or not there is (step S107). When the time T1 is equal to or longer than the threshold time Tth (step S107, YES), the demodulation control unit 20 outputs the control signal SA to the demodulation unit 21 and performs power down for a predetermined time (step S108). Therefore, the demodulator 21 can save power without performing a demodulation operation for the predetermined time.

  In the first embodiment, the radio unit 2a includes the demodulation control unit 20 and the demodulation unit 21, and outputs the demodulated baseband signal S2 to the receiver body unit 2b. Is used by changing the number of antennas corresponding to the change in the condition of the subject 1, the receiver body unit 2 b can be replaced with the wireless unit 2 a having the number of antennas corresponding to the change in the situation. Things can be used.

  For example, when the receiving apparatus 2 is used in an area where the radio frequency is changed, the same receiver main unit 2b can be used by exchanging the radio unit 2a with the changed radio frequency.

  As described above, the receiving device 2 is separated into the radio unit 2a and the receiver body unit 2b, and each radio unit 2a itself performs demodulation control by the demodulation control unit 20 corresponding to the demodulation unit 21, and the receiver body. Since the communication connection can be made with the baseband signal S2 common to the unit 2b, it is possible to easily cope with various specifications, and the configuration on the receiver body unit 2b side is simplified.

  In addition, since all signals through the connector 2c are converted into low-frequency baseband signals, noise does not enter through the connector 2c, and the receiving device 2 can acquire good image information. .

  Further, the demodulation control unit 20 powers down the demodulation unit 21 when the signal strength of the received high-frequency signal is less than a predetermined strength and continues for a predetermined time or longer. The operating time of the receiving device 2 can be extended.

  In the first embodiment, the switching operation of the switch 24 is performed by the control signal SC from the receiver body unit 2b. However, the switching operation may be performed manually. In addition, the demodulation control unit 20 performs power-down of the demodulation unit 21 based on the signal strength of the antenna strength signal S1, but the baseband signal S2 is input to control the level of the baseband signal S2. Alternatively, power down may be performed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the demodulation control unit 20 is arranged in the radio unit 2a, and the radio unit 2a performs the demodulation control. However, in the second embodiment, the binarization unit that converts the digital baseband signal. The control unit for the binarization unit is also provided on the radio unit 20a side.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the receiving apparatus 2A according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the radio unit 20a further includes a binarizing unit 31 that converts an analog baseband signal S2 output from the demodulating unit 21 into a digital baseband signal SE. A binarization control unit 30 that performs binarization control on 31 is further provided. The control unit 32 controls the demodulation control unit 20 and the binarization control unit 30 in an integrated manner. On the other hand, since the input baseband signal is the digital baseband signal SE, the receiver body unit 20b performs signal processing for generating image information as it is without performing binarization. Other configurations are the same as those of the receiving device 2 shown in the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In this receiving apparatus 2A, the radio unit 20a and the receiver body unit 20b are connected to each other by a digital baseband signal SE, so that it is relatively unaffected by noise and generates good image information. Can do.

  Here, the operation of the control unit 32 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the control unit 32 inputs a control signal SD from the receiver body unit 20b (step S201). When the control signal SD instructs to start, the demodulation control unit 20 outputs the control signal SA to the demodulation unit 21 and also outputs the control signal SA1 to the binarization unit 31 (step S202). The demodulating operation is started and the binarizing operation of the binarizing unit 31 is started. The demodulator 21 demodulates the high-frequency signal input via the antenna switching unit 23 and outputs the baseband signal S2 to the binarization unit 31. The demodulation control unit 20 receives the antenna strength signal S1 (step S203), and determines whether or not the signal strength of the antenna strength signal S1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Sth (step S204). When the signal strength of the antenna strength signal S1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value Sth (step S204, YES), the demodulation control unit 20 continues the demodulation control and determines whether or not the control signal SD instructing start / stop is input ( Step S205). When the control signal SD instructing start / stop is input (step S205, YES), the control signal SA is output to the demodulator 21 and the control signal SA1 is output to the binarizer 31 (step S206). And the binarization operation of the binarization unit 31 are also terminated.

  On the other hand, when the antenna strength signal S1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Sth (step S204, NO), the control unit 32 measures a time T1 when the antenna strength signal S1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Sth, and the time T1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold time Tth. Whether or not (step S207). When the time T1 is equal to or greater than the threshold time Tth (step S207, YES), the demodulation control unit 20 outputs the control signal SA to the demodulation unit 21 to perform power down for a predetermined time and the binarization control unit 30 performs control. The signal SA1 is output to the binarization unit 31 to perform power down for a predetermined time (step S208).

  In the second embodiment, the radio unit 20a binarizes the demodulated baseband signal S2 and outputs the digital signal SE to the receiver main unit 20b. Therefore, the radio unit 20a and the receiver main unit 20b Are connected with a digital baseband signal SE, and good image information with less noise can be acquired. Also in this case, since the binarization control unit 30 is provided on the radio unit 20a side, the configuration of the receiver main unit 20b is simplified and the versatility of the receiving device can be increased.

  In the second embodiment, the power-down process is performed using the antenna strength signal S1, but the power-down process may be performed using a fixed pattern included in the digital baseband signal SE. Further, the power-down process of the demodulator 21 and the power-down process of the binarizer 31 may be performed separately.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, the radio units 2a and 20a demodulate the high-frequency signal into the baseband signals S2 and SE. However, in the third embodiment, antenna switching control is further performed on the radio unit side. I am doing so.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of receiving apparatus 2B according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, on the wireless unit 21 a side, a switching control unit 40 that performs switching control of the antennas A <b> 1 to An based on the detection signal S <b> 1 detected by the intensity detection unit 22 is further provided. Switches the antennas A1 to An in accordance with the switching signal SB1 from the switching control unit 40. The control unit 46 on the receiver body unit 21b side does not perform switching control corresponding to the switching control unit 40. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  Here, the operation of the control unit 42 of the wireless unit 21a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the control unit 42 inputs a control signal SD from the receiver body unit 21b (step S301). When this control signal SD instructs the start of activation, the switching control unit 40 receives the antenna strength signal S1 from the strength detection unit 22 (step S302), and a plurality of antennas A1 to An based on the antenna strength signal S1. The switching signal SB1 for selecting the antenna having the strongest reception intensity from among the signals is output (step S303). The demodulation control unit 20 starts the demodulation operation of the demodulation unit 21 by the control signal SA, and the binarization control unit 30 starts the binarization operation of the binarization unit 31 by the control signal SA1 (step S304).

  The demodulator 21 receives and demodulates the high frequency signal via the antenna switched by the switching controller 40, and outputs the baseband signal S 2 to the binarizer 31. The demodulation control unit 20 receives the antenna strength signal S1 (step S305), and determines whether the signal strength of the antenna strength signal S1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Sth (step S306). When the signal strength of the antenna strength signal S1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value Sth (step S306, YES), the switching control unit 404 determines whether or not the antenna strength signal S1 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value Sth1 (step S307). When the antenna strength signal S1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value Sth1 (step S308, YES), the demodulation control unit 20 continues the demodulation control, and determines whether or not the control signal SD instructing start / stop is input from the control unit 46. (Step S309). When the control signal SD for instructing start / stop is input (step S309, YES), the switching signal SB1 is output to the antenna switching unit 23, the control signal SA is output to the demodulation unit 21, and the control signal SA1 is binarized. 31 (step S309), the switching operation of the antenna switching unit 23 is terminated, the demodulation operation of the demodulation unit 21 is terminated, and the binarization operation of the binarization unit 31 is also terminated.

  On the other hand, when the antenna strength signal S1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Sth (step S306, NO), the demodulation control unit 20 measures the time T1 when the antenna strength signal S1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Sth, and the time T1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold time Tth. It is determined whether or not there is (step S310). When the time T1 is equal to or longer than the threshold time Tth (step S310, YES), the demodulation control unit 20 outputs the control signal SA to the demodulation unit 21, and the binarization control unit 30 binarizes the control signal SA1. The power is reduced to 31 for a predetermined time (step S311).

  When the antenna strength signal S1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Sth1 (step S307, NO), the switching control unit 40 performs antenna switching control.

  In the third embodiment, a switching control unit 40 is further provided on the radio unit 21a side, and the switching control unit 40 controls the switching operation of the antenna switching unit 23 based on the detection output signal S1. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform various control settings or the like accompanying the change in the number of antennas on the receiver body unit 21b side, and the configuration on the receiver body unit 21b side is simplified and can be shared.

  In the third embodiment, the determination as to whether or not to perform power-down is performed prior to the determination as to antenna switching. However, the determination as to whether or not to perform antenna switching is performed rather than the determination as to whether or not power-down is performed. It may be performed first.

  In the third embodiment, the determination as to whether or not to perform power-down and the determination as to antenna switching are performed using different criteria, but the same criteria may be used.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole transmission / reception system using the receiver concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the receiver concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the demodulation control part concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the receiver concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the receiver concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 2, 2A, 2B Receiver 2a, 20a, 21a Radio | wireless unit 2b, 20b, 21b Receiver main body unit 2c, 20c, 21c Connector 3 Capsule endoscope 4 Display apparatus 5 Portable recording medium 20 Demodulation control part 26, 32, 36, 42, 46 Control unit 21 Demodulation unit 22 Strength detection unit 23 Antenna switching unit 27 Display unit 28 Storage unit 29 Signal processing unit 30 Binarization control unit 31 Binarization unit 40 Switching control unit

Claims (4)

A radio unit having a demodulator that demodulates a received radio signal into a baseband signal, a demodulation control unit that controls demodulation processing of the demodulator, and a signal strength detector that detects the signal strength of the radio signal ;
A receiver body unit that is detachable from the wireless unit and performs processing for obtaining transmission information based on at least the baseband signal;
Bei to give a,
The receiving apparatus , wherein the demodulation control means performs control to stop at least the operation of the demodulation unit for a predetermined time when the signal intensity detected by the signal intensity means does not satisfy a predetermined condition . The wireless unit is
Binarization means for binarizing the baseband signal;
Binarization control means for performing control to output the binarized signal binarized by the binarization means to the receiver body unit;
The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The wireless unit is
A plurality of antennas for receiving the radio signals;
Switching means for selectively switching one antenna among the plurality of antennas;
Receiving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a. The radio units, any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a switching control means for switching control of said switching means said signal strength detected by the signal intensity detecting unit based on The receiving device described in 1.

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